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  • "
    the wall wrote:
    Very-Honest wrote:
    What people must remember is that this pair broke the law. The pair were NOT found guilty, but PLEADED GUILTY. When someone is found guilty of any crime, never mind about defrauding a charitable organisation and are in a very prominent position, the press has every right to print the story, and pictures, just like it has been happening for hundreds of years. (Tell me, if they had not been found out, do you think they would have returned the money?) IF YOU CAN'T TAKE THE HEAT, DON'T DO THE CRIME. One of the blokes I have met several times Mr Dhillon, even with this millstone around his neck, I still feel he is a very decent man and just like many others that have been caught or not as the matter may be, I am more than certain that this bloke has more than paid the price for his part of the mistake and I for one forgive him for what it's worth.
    I don't think you are very honest. In my opinion you have some hidden agenda and are trying very hard (and failing) to get people involved.

    Very-Honest says...8:30pm Mon 16 Jul 12 says - I have personally met the older bloke several times.

    Very-Honest says..10:34am Sun 22 Jul 12 - I have met both men.

    Very-Honest says..6:17pm Mon 23 Jul 12 - One of the blokes I have met several times Mr Dhillon,

    Greenwich Council for Racial Equality is an utter waste of money and does nothing to unite community. If anything it drives a bigger wedge into the divide.”
    The Wall says:
    " don't think you are very honest. In my opinion you have some hidden agenda and are trying very hard (and failing) to get people involved."

    Look friend. I post honestly and never resorted to abuse unlike the several posts removed from this story.

    If I "tried," friend, I'd contact the tabloids and they would have a serious interest as one of these blokes had a very high profile in race hate crimes and had appeared on the tv, press/radio/etc/etc. However, I have no interest in doing that but other may do that once the pair are sentenced and/or the story is put into print in the local papers and Punjabi speaking media."
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Pensioners trousered £47,000 from Greenwich Council for Racial Equality

9:18am Monday 23rd July 2012 in Bexley By Mark Chandler

Makhan Bajwa Makhan Bajwa

FOR years they were seen as pillars of their community, fighting for the rights of ethnic minorities, but these two pensioners had a dirty secret.


Behind the scenes, Hardev Singh Dhillon and Makhan Bajwa from Greenwich Council for Racial Equality (GCRE) were conspiring to create false invoices for companies both real and bogus.


Treasurer Dhillon, 76, and director Bajwa, 67, abused their positions to countersign cheques made payable to themselves, before using them to line their own pockets.


In total they defrauded £47,000 from the charity and Greenwich Council.


Earlier this month they admitted conspiracy to defraud, a crime which came to light after a new chairman went through the accounts and raised concerns with the local authority.


The council ceased funding the organisation and it closed down soon afterwards - the end of a 43-year history of community support including high-profile incidents like the Stephen Lawrence murder.

Bajwa's Jag with personalised numberplates


Former employee Surinder Cheema, who is now setting up his own replacement organisation, said: "Since the closure, victims have really been left without any help or advice in the borough.


"Whatever they've paid, that doesn't bring back the organisation or its employees."


GCRE member William Ekinu said: "For a long time they were held in high esteem by the whole community. They were trusted. They betrayed that trust."


Bajwa lives in a large detached house in Park Crescent, Erith, and drives a Jaguar with personalised numberplates spelling out his name.

Worshippers at his local gurdwara in Belvedere are said to be dismayed at the revelations.


Mr Ekinu said: "He deceived the community that he was a genuine and honest person."


Dhillon, from Plumstead Common, and Bajwa have paid back £36,000 and said that they can pay back the rest before sentencing on August 9 at Woolwich Crown Court.

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